RAW DEAL
Page 22
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In response to Paul Hope of Middlesborough, please do not think that the Eurotunnei is a safe alternative when it comes to the problem of illegal immigrants ( CM25-31 May). We have been unfortunate enough to be caught and have been tined although our vehicle was still in France at the time.
It appears that the immigration control at the tunnel is deemed in law to be English soil, whereas if your vehicle is at the dock in France or on the ferry it is still under French jurisdiction.
As a result of the recent warnings our drivers have ensured that there are witnesses present when they load; they check the seals at every stopping point as well as the TIP cords and the trailer itself to make sure that there are no tears through which somebody could gain access.
Despite all these precautions five immigrants managed to stow themselves away, resulting in al10,000 fine.
When we investigated, it transpired that they had cut the TIR cord at the front of the trailer to gain access and then someone had resealed it with super glue. It took well over an hour to find the cut so there is no way a driver would notice it during a routine inspection.
If these immigrants are becoming this ingenious, how can we possibly hope to combat the problem?
We have written to the government to enquire whether the safety of our drivers has been considered when drawing up this legislation. One man on his own is supposed to check the trailer and then deal with the consequences if he comes across any number of immigrants who, by their nature, are desperate, and possibly armed.
When will they realise that we are just as anxious to stop this immigration traffic as they are and provide authorised checkpoints before the tunnel or ports?
Hauliers can't afford the fines, and the drivers have no wish to take their lives into their hands every time they open a trailer.
According to the media the general public wants to know where the money comes from to house and support immigrants in this country. Now they know—it comes from the hauliers who are fined for inadvertently bringing them in! Tony Cullum, BT Cullum & Son, Tiptree, Essex.